Displaying episodes by topic: government

In 2018, the Federal Cannabis Act was proclaimed. This federal act gave the provinces many of the responsibilities of managing the recreational use of cannabis. Although the recreational consumption of cannabis became legal throughout Canada, the Manitoba conservative government of 2018 placed several restrictions on cannabis, including not allowing Manitobans to grow cannabis at home. This despite our neighbors in Saskatchewan and Ontario being allow to grow their 4 plants at home as laid out in the federal act.  As of May 1, 2025 the New Democratic Party government, made some changes to the Manitoban cannabis regulations. In this episode Amanda Creasy, MBA, a Director within the Liquor Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA), discusses the new Manitoba regulations. She explains the rational for the changes that were made and also why other changes were not made. Have a listen to discover how Manitobans can now grow four indoor plants and why the prohibition of public consumption of cannabis remains.

Kirk catches up with Ted Smith from the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club and his organization’s ill-defined existence within a country of legalized cannabis. We hear how Ted’s dreams, for this timeworn cannabis compassion club, are close to fruition yet there lingers potential for a new set of fines and a visit from the Public Health Authority impeding the full potential of this caring organization. In this episode we learn how the clouds preventing Ted from flying high are not simply from his new smoking lounge but rather the various levels of bureaucracy he must manage when putting compassion into action

David Traylor has 2 undergrad degrees in Bio-Chemistry and Molecular Biology. He is a former pro lacrosse player. He got involved in BioTech in the 1990's and dealt with the difficulties of getting molecules like erythropoietin to market at scale. From there he got into investment banking. Obviously, with that background, the next step is to do cannabis deals on 6 of the 7 continents! Golden Eagle Partners was the first investment banking firm to jump into cannabis, which they did in 2013. In addition to doing international cannabis deals, David's experience has led him to be involved with financial and cannabis related conferences around the world. In fact, David is the reason our co-host Trevor was at CannMed 23 in Florida. Listen as Trevor and David discuss: What is THC+ and THC-? Where is the cannabis industry going in the next three years? Did Canada blow it on the business side of cannabis when all that money poured in post national legalization in 2018? Why is it so hard to scale a biological product like cannabinoids? David wraps up with talking about the importance of humility when dealing with cannabis. Whether that is dealing with patients, growing the plant or navigating the cannabis business world, we think a reminder to be humble is a wonderful mantra!

Kieley is in the lead as our most interviewed guest. Kirk still teases Trevor how he blushed back on E34 when Trevor and Kieley talked about cannabis and sexual dysfunction. We talked to her on the Craft Cannabis Panel on E63 and during our trip to Calgary Hemfest in E78. Today we catch up with this cannabis entrepreneur and force of nature. The company she founded, Parkland Flower, is winning awards and she is pursuing new ventures with Hyde Advisory and Investments. Come listen to the evolution of a entrepreneur and where Kieley thinks the cannabis space is headed!

The Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club (VCBC) is no stranger to defending the services that a compassion club can deliver. For decades, the VCBC has supported individuals with chronic and or life-threatening diseases by providing aid not available from government health systems. Kirk once again visits this west coast healing community. He examines how this celebrated organization is now fighting a $6.4 million fine levied against them as an unlicensed dispensary. Founder Ted Smith, a tenacious defender of human rights, explains this current challenge, the club’s relationships with growers, and the help his staff provides the medical cannabis community.

By legalizing recreational use of cannabis in 2018, Canada became the world’s largest cannabis friendly country. The Cannabis Act allows provinces to individualized their approach to legalizing the various components of this federal legislation. The Manitoba government rejected the component allowing citizens to grow four plants at home making our province the only non-homegrown jurisdiction. Jesse Lavoie is challenging the Manitoba government’s position suggesting their decisions were made using an outdated understanding of the plant’s threat to homes, children, and those who want to grow. Trevor and Kirk compare the Manitoba government’s current move to make alcohol more available to citizens while at the same time fighting Jesse’s petition to allow homegrown cannabis cultivation. In their discussions, Trevor and Kirk point out the contradictions in Premier Pallister’s approach to Harm Reduction.

 Why is the recreational cannabis age being set at 19 in Manitoba?  Why do four big companies have a monopoly on recreational sales?  Did the government look back at prohibition of alcohol to plan for legalization of recreational cannabis?  Michael Legary, a spokesperson for the Government of Manitoba update Kirk and Trevor about the Province's plans as legalization approaches